Mailantariki Care Football Club of Abuja have evened scores with city rivals EFCC FC by winning the 2023 edition of the FCT FA Cup.
They beat the defending champions 4-2 on penalty kicks after a shootout which followed their goalless draw at regulation time in the final match played at the Area 3 pitch in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that both sides had met at the same stage in the competition in 2022, with the EFCC FC side winning 2-1.
This time around, Mailantariki Care FC were resolute in what they wanted, and they not only stood tall against their opponents but were also looking better.
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They were more on the offensive, but failed to kill the game off as a result of some wayward shooting in the final third.
Both sides will now represent the FCT in the 2023 Federation Cup, a national competition which will see two teams each from the FCT and the 36 states of the federation participating.
In the final match of the female version of the competition, played earlier at the same venue, Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership side Naija Ratels emerged winners.
They whipped Paul E Football Club 6-0 to retain their title, after scoring four goals in the first half of the match.
Both sides will now represent the FCT in the national competition for state FA Cup finalists, the Federation Cup, slated for later in the year. (NAN)
